New Features in Windows 10

The Start menu is back, putting all your apps, settings, and files just a few keystrokes, click away. There's also a space on the menu you can personalize with your favorite apps, programs, people and websites.

Cortana, your personal digital assistant, helps make things easier for you and keeps you up to date. Cortana is your personal digital assistant in Windows 10. She's always at the ready, bringing you exactly what you need without disturbing the conversation. Cortana gets to know you over time, using your search information to help you get things done and becoming more useful every day. (Note: on the version of Windows 10 downloaded to your computer, Cortana's voice command function and some web functionality have been disabled).

Microsoft Edge, the new browser in Windows 10, is designed to deliver a better web experience.

It's also easier to find and switch among open apps, keep them organized, resize and reposition them, keep track of notifications, and access frequently used system settings.

Snap enhancements (The "snap," feature makes it easier to mainipulate the layout of open windows on your desktop

A Safer and More Secure Windows Experience, thanks to Windows Defender and Windows Firewall. When you start Windows 10 for the first time, they are both on and working to protect your PC by scanning for malicious software. There may be situations in which you need to turn off Windows Defender or Windows Firewall temporarily, such as while installing certain applications or software updates. However, be sure to check with your network administrator before doing so.

New and Improved Action Center to Replace the Notification Center. Windows 8.1 enabled you to see notifications from apps, which appeared as "toasts" above the notification tray at the lower right corner of the screen. However, after a notification timed out, it was lost forever. Windows 10 remedies this with its new action center, which is similar to the notification center that was introduced in Windows Phone 8.1.

2. Type the name of the application you'd like to create a shortcut for into Cortana's search bar.

3. When the application appears, right-click on it and select from the following options:

Pin to Start, which will place the application conveniently in the panel next to your Start menu. (Note: This panel will include three sections auto-named "Office Apps," "Browsers," and "System Utils." Anything you pin will go into

the fourth, unnamed section. We recommend you name this section "Favorites."

Pin to Taskbar, which will place the application shortcut on the toolbar that is visible on the bottom of your screen

Using Tiles

In the right pane of the Start menu, you'll find tiles for some common apps. To move a tile, just drag it to another position. You can rearrange them within the pane. You can also drag apps between the tile view and the app list view.

Right-click a tile to display a menu for performing other actions with that tile, which may include:

Unpin from Start

Resize

Uninstall

More

Open recent files with the app

Switch Among Running Apps

1. Select Task View on the task bar (bottom left hand corner)

2. Select the App you would like to view.

Create a New Virtual Desktop and switch among Virtual Desktops

Windows 10 treats VDIs much like apps. To create a new virtual desktop:

1. Select the Task View button on the taskbar.

2. Select New Desktop near the lower-right corner of the screen.

To switch among VDI interfaces, select the Task View button on the task bar, then simply select the thumbnail for the virtual desktop you want, as if you were choosing an app.

Access Application Commands

In Windows 10, you simply have to select the Menu button on the upper left to do things like search, print, or change app settings. (The options you will see will vary by application).

Use the Snap feature to View Multiple Windows on One Screen

To snap two windows side by side:

1. Drag the title bar of one window to one side of the screen, until a half-screen outline of the window appears.